noun
sputum
SPYOO-tum
Sputum (noun) means the thick mucus coughed up from the lungs and airways, often examined by doctors to identify an infection. Example: “The patient produced green sputum for a week before seeking help.”
noun
1
The thick mucus coughed up from the lungs and airways, often examined by doctors to identify an infection.
"The patient produced green sputum for a week before seeking help."
"A sputum sample was sent off to test for tuberculosis."
How to use sputum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe gunk you cough up from your chest.
When to use it
Medical; in everyday speech people say phlegm.
Common pairings
sputum sample
sputum culture
purulent sputum
produce sputum
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like sputum.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The patient produced green _____ for a week before seeking help.
Etymology
From Latin 'sputum', the past participle of 'spuere' meaning 'to spit'.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between sputum and saliva?
Saliva is produced in the mouth and is thin and watery. Sputum comes up from the lower airways and lungs and is thicker. A sputum sample is only useful for testing if it is genuinely coughed up rather than spat from the mouth.
What is the difference between sputum and phlegm?
They refer to much the same substance. Phlegm is the everyday word for airway mucus; sputum is the clinical term, used specifically for the material that has been coughed out and can be collected and examined.
What does the colour of sputum mean?
Clear or white is usually unremarkable, yellow or green suggests the immune system is active and may point to infection, and rust-coloured or bloody sputum needs prompt medical attention. Colour alone never confirms a diagnosis.
What is the meaning of sputum?
"sputum" (noun) means the thick mucus coughed up from the lungs and airways, often examined by doctors to identify an infection.
